Visiting the village ofOmalos is a treat for the eyes. I find that the view on the plateau of Omalos, 1,080 metres high, is most fascinating: one of the most beautiful landscapes in Crete! The vegetation here is everywhere, with its terrace vines, its pines, maples, oaks and chestnut trees which follow one after the other in the middle of imposing mountainous peaks.
Omalos is known, above all, as a stopping point on the way to the mountains of Koukouli (1,632 metres), Psari (1,884 metres), Mount Melindao (2,135 metres) and Kallergi refuge (1,680 metres): a real eyrie perched on top of Samaria Gorge. From here, the panorama is most spectacular over the massif of white mountains, the high lush ground of Lefta Ori, the Libyan sea and even, in very sunny weather, the island of Gavdos, just off Crete.
A much prized hike, but count on a good 2 hours' walking from the village of Omalos to reach the refuge, and 5 to 6 hours to reach the massifs. Think of looking up to the sky to observe the magnificent birds of prey in the region: eagles and vultures. The most hardened walkers will continue their journey to Samaria Gorge: a site classified as a national park.
Visiting the village ofOmalos is a treat for the eyes. I find that the view on the plateau of Omalos, 1,080 metres high, is most fascinating: one of the most beautiful landscapes in Crete! The vegetation here is everywhere, with its terrace vines, its pines, maples, oaks and chestnut trees which follow one after the other in the middle of imposing mountainous peaks.
Omalos is known, above all, as a stopping point on the way to the mountains of Koukouli (1,632 metres), Psari (1,884 metres), Mount Melindao (2,135 metres) and Kallergi refuge (1,680 metres): a real eyrie perched on top of Samaria Gorge. From here, the panorama is most spectacular over the massif of white mountains, the high lush ground of Lefta Ori, the Libyan sea and even, in very sunny weather, the island of Gavdos, just off Crete.
A much prized hike, but count on a good 2 hours' walking from the village of Omalos to reach the refuge, and 5 to 6 hours to reach the massifs. Think of looking up to the sky to observe the magnificent birds of prey in the region: eagles and vultures. The most hardened walkers will continue their journey to Samaria Gorge: a site classified as a national park.
